Emerald Dawn SITREP
16 Feb 2024Vasil Vasilescu
DTG:15FEB33101837SSTVogulu-A1
Summary:
-Contact with Thargoids.
-Carrier Operations in Vogulu are unsustainable.
-Carrier relocating to Sawait 4.
-Loss of life and equipment.
-Mission delayed but not significantly impacted.
Narrative Detail: At 0958SST sensors detected several hyperspace anomalies within 6300 km of the Emerald Dawn. This was followed by reports of Thargoids manifesting near Finlay Hub. By 1004SST, reports of heavy fighting around Zhu Survey and Steiner’s Progress indicated this was not a probing attack but that Vogulu had been invaded by a sizable Thargoid force.
At 1006SST Emerald Dawn initiated the Emergency Action Plan and began preparations for an emergency jump out of the system. Jade Flight was scrambled to assist Sapphire Flight in screening the carrier from Thargoid Incursions.
At 1011SST sensors detected two Thargoid Basilisks and a Scythe manifesting 10.3km away from the carrier. At the time, seven vessels transporting a total of 315 rescued civilians were still on approach and another two vessels with 120 passengers were entering the control zone. The ship’s master, Captain Maxwell Whitney, determined the immediate risk to the approaching ships was too great to lock down the carrier and turn the ships away. The decision was made to ignore the standard operating directive and bring the ships into to the carrier.
Jade and Sapphire immediately moved to engage the Thargoids and provide cover for the civilian craft. Because the Emerald Dawn could no longer guarantee safe approach, all contract vessels not already within the carrier’s zone of control were advised to leave the system and rendezvous at emergency jump location #2 in the Sawait system.
Despite constant harassment by Jade and Sapphire, the Thargoids aggressively pursued the civilian transports, damaging three of them and disengaging the civilian craft only upon coming into range of the carrier’s defensive turrets. During the engagement, two more civilian craft exited super cruise (approx. 1014). Both had been severely damaged from previous Thargoid interdictions.
Three ships with AX capabilities that had been refueling and rearming aboard the Emerald Dawn requested permission to depart and assist. Deeming the protection of civilians to be the carrier’s primary concern, Captain Whitney granted the request.
The AX craft managed to heavily damage the two Basilisks, forcing one to retire from the fight, but not before the last civilian craft, Jogger’s Pride, was crippled and left adrift. The Scythe immediately targeted escape pods being ejected by the crippled Type 7. Emerald Dawn provided cover with defensive turrets but at extreme range the effect was negligible. Jade and Sapphire provided close support while the AX fighters attempted to recover pods before the Scythe.
At 1018SST another Basilisk and Scythe manifested near the crippled vessel. With only three minutes left before the emergency jump (1 min before mandatory lockdown), the Jogger’s Pride and its civilian passengers still under attack, and with more hostiles arriving, the difficult decision was made to continue with the jump and not risk the lives of the 5000 civilians on board the Emerald Dawn. Jade, Sapphire and the AX fighters refused to return to the Emerald Dawn, volunteering to remain behind to defend Jogger’s Pride and recover escape pods.
Confimed Losses:
Jade 2, Imperial Eagle Interceptor
CMDR Phillips, Jade 2, KIA
Jogger’s Pride, Type7 civilian transport
William Jogger, ERS rescue and resupply contractor, missing, presumed dead
32 Escape pods, presumed captured by Thargoids
Conclusions:
If the Emerald Dawn is to continue operating in systems with high Thargoid activity, or which are under imminent threat of Thargoid invasion, a compliment of dedicated AX escorts will be necessary to ensure the safety of civilians we are charged with protecting.
Only the selflessness exhibited by the pilots of Jade and Sapphire, as well as the AX volunteers prevented more people from being abducted. Even so, the sacrifice made by CMDRs Phillips and Jogger might not have been necessary if the Emerald Dawn had a compliment of AX fighters supporting its mission.
If not for the volunteer AX fighters, losses would have been much higher. The Imperial eagles of Jade and Sapphire are currently outfitted more for anti-piracy operations than AX operations. Though their dedication and bravery are unquestionable, no amount of either can compensate for Jade’s and Sapphire’s lack of AX weaponry.
Operating from Sawait 4 will allow the Emerald Dawn to be close enough to the front without risking another Thargoid encounter. As we take on more civilians fleeing the Thargoids, their protection must take precedence over the carrier’s proximity to its target operating areas. A minimum distance of 10LY from systems with Thargoid activity is recommended.
Sumbitted: Captain Maxwell Whitney, Emerald Dawn